For almost a month now, we have been under a lockdown due to the corona pandemic. This time is surely difficult, yet we are making history.
In this time of distress, I thoroughly enjoyed the tasks that our PM Narendra Modi gave us. In a city like Delhi, where people are so engrossed in themselves and lead busy lives, are going to their balconies and get to know their neighbours. It feels good to see humans around you doing the same thing at the same time as you. These tasks gave a reason to everyone to smile, and put their social media status doing these tasks, followed by chats.
Just a few hours after the task got over, we received the news of people who ruined the entire idea behind the PM’s address to the nation. These jokers did the task in a way that would never help, rather bring laughter even during the time of pandemic. I found this arrangement entertaining till the time it is not harming anyone. COVID-19 has taught Indians two new words: ‘quarantine’ and ‘pandemic’. Now, there is no going back for us from using these terms.
The lockdown has bombarded us with challenges. Those who were not comfortable with buying groceries and medicines online have started buying them online. Those who used to detest going to markets are now excited about it. There has been a weird realisation regarding the difficulty of work from home. We have realised how poor we are in time management. Non-vegetarians are craving for chicken, but are doing absolutely well without it. Children cannot play outside. Parents who earlier stopped their kids from using mobile phones are now themselves playing online ludo with their kids.
As a child, I had mentioned about a time when teachers would teach online in many of the essays I wrote at that time. Little did I know that I would be a part of this arrangement some day. Neither the teachers nor students were ready for such as practice. We are no more being proud of the idea of online classrooms. We miss offline classes and the traditional approach towards teaching that was limited to using projectors in classrooms in the name of technology. All college students, especially those in their final year, are anxious about their exams and this academic semester.
Amidst all this, we can evidently see our Nature healing. This is a gentle reminder that climate change is real and human-made. I hope post the lockdown, we treat the problem of toxic air and water as a pandemic too. The promising times have proven to be helpful to many Indians as they are making time for themselves and discovering their hobbies and interests. This has also helped the youth engage in cooking.
Cooking is an essential task without which one cannot claim to be independent. I feel very happy to see social media status of my friends, male and female, cooking without degrading the task. The media too has changed its approach. Ever since the lockdown, Indian media has been broadly covering every news related to the coronavirus.
When I read the newspapers now, I find that coronavirus has united the world. We all are in in this fight together. No one is threatening for war. No one is talking about missiles anymore. Everyone is struggling through the virus on a global level. And the Indian media is finally concentrating on the nation rather than broadcasting and bitching about Pakistan. Religion is less important to religious fundamentalists now. They are convinced that COVID-19 can’t be used in the name of religion and religion politics won’t play a role here. Politicians too are concerned this time because even they are unsafe, and their money and power doesn’t ensure them safety from the virus.
While most of us are enjoying the free time during this pandemic, there are people out there who are not as lucky as us. They have been worst hit by the situation. The poor people don’t have food to eat. There has been an increase in the number of domestic violence cases and cases of violence against women. There are hungry animals wandering on the roads. The elderly and disabled are more prone to COVID-19. These are the worst-affected groups due to the lockdown and need our help.
To all those sitting back at home and enjoying the dalgona coffee, let us all make it a point to help people in need and feed street animals. We are just a click away from making donations. Make it a point to pay your domestic helpers. Call them, ask them how they are doing, and help them if they need anything. Pay them via Paytm or net banking.
This is a pandemic, and we are all in this together. Let us not forget to practice humanity. All of us have no other option but to live through the challenges. Just remember, we are together and we will come out of this stronger and better. Keep yourself updated about COVID-19 from authentic sources, and help others around you by keeping away from rumors and myths related to the disease. Take care of people around you.
Stay safe. Stay indoors and spread love like a virus.